Stencilling machine



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nm. Ov

A. PHILLIPS ETAL- STENCILLING MACHINE llll. l l l l l July 5, 1960 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 A. PHILLIPS ETAI- July 5, 1960 STENCILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 A. PHILLIPS ETAI- July 5, 1960 STENCI'LLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec.

FROM DATA INTERPRETATION 3 AND STORAGE DEVICE FIG. 4.

OUTPUT CIRCUITS `STENCILLING POSITION GENERATING POSITION DATA DATA INTERPRETATION AN D STO RAGE DEVI CE T mw om 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N .0E Om Tm AEHILLIPS ETAI- STECILLING MACHINE July 5, 1960 Filed Dec. 1e, 1955 United States Patent Ofi ice 2,943,562 Patented July 5, 1960 srENcmLlNG MACHINE Adrian Phillips, Bronx, and Leo Robbins, Brobklyn,'N.Y.,

assignors, 'by neshe "assignments, V`to Baldwin-Lima- Hamilton Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. r16, 1955, ser. No. 553,474 `s claims. (el. '10i-:212)

This invention 'relates to stencilling o'r similar marking devices 'for 'applying transmitted data tothe surface of an article in stencilling or marking position. The transmitted data may be 'the Aweight and/or length of the article weight per unit of length, or lany other desired information. l

It is one of the principal objects of this invention automatically to position data stencils in accordance with the transmitted data.

It is a further object of vthis invention to utilize data `transmitted in the form `of electric signalsgand to cause said signals to position the data stencils of a stencilling machine. p

It is a further object -to provide a frame which supports the data stencils -and which canhbe moved to "effective marking posi-tion after the stencils have been set, and

which can be moved to ineffective position after the stencilling has been effected to permit the marked article to be removed and the next article to be moved into markingposition. Y

Another object is the provision of carrier elements for the data `stencils which can readily be removed from the frame in which they are movably-monnted to permit their replacement with other elements.

A further object is the provision of vcarrier elements, each supporting a plurality of data stencils, cach data stencil being shaped to conform tothe shape of a rigid article to be marked and lreadily removable from the carrier element, and adjustable transversely of the longitudinal axis of the article. p

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed 'description thereof.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figs. 1A and lB constitute a plan view, ypartly in section with parts brokenzoi, of thel'eft andright portions, respectively, of a stencilling machine embodying one form of this invention. I Y

Figs. ,2A and 2B represent `a side elevation of the corresponding portions of Figs. 1A and 1B.

Fig. 3 is an electric wiring diagram `shown in conjunction with a movable bar.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of 'th'e st'encilling machine and associated'units. 4 f

Fig. S is a section along line 5-5 of Fig. `6, showing a portion of a cam ba'r and its associated carrier element.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end 'View Vof Lthe frarr'ie disclosing the carrier elements.

Fig. 7 shows a detail of a carrier element.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, -it is herein described in connection with marking the weight upon a tube, but it will be readily apparent that any other data capable of being transmitted may be applied to the article, and it will be further apparent that the machine can operate on any other article.

Taking, for example, a tube T which is to be weighed, andnia'ked with its weight, the tube is shown in weighin Fig. 4 where it will generate an input's-ignalwhich is a function of its Weight. Said input signal may actuate a data linterpretation and storage device 10 of any wellknown type, which may include `a computer and 'digital translator, such device when discharged being lcapablefo'f transmitting a plurality of signals corresponding to the positions of the desired data. Thus, in transmitting weight data, a four-channel output inay b'e employed cor- Vre'spondingto the weight figure in units, "tens, hundreds and thousands lof pounds, each channel 'comprisingt'e'n i'ndividual output circuits.

After the tube is weighed and the data is stored -in device 10, the tube is moved from signal geneiatingpo'sition over connecting skid means 12 to marking or sten- `cilling position where it rests on asupport 1'4'as shown at T in Fig. 4. To mark the weight upon the tube, lthe stencilling machine must be set to bring the proper data stencils corresponding 4to the weight of the tube into stencilling position. When the tube approaches or has reached the marking position, lthe data storage device is caused to discharge and deliver the signals to the stencilling machine. The latter comprises a frame F having a stencilling station'formed therein, said station comprising windows 20, 21, 22, 23 (Fig. 1B) corresponding -to the four 'places of the weighing data. A plurality of stencil devices comprising carrier elements 30, 31., 32, 33 (Fig. "6) are slidably mounted in said frame, each element l'supporting a plurality (in this case, ten) of individual data stencils 35 having openings therein representing symbols inthe form of numbers yl to 9 and O. As the car- 'rier 'elements are slid beneath windows lZtl-'23, the proper figure corresponding to the weight of the tube will be shown if the carrier elements `are lactuated as a vfunction ofthe signals transmitted by the individual output circuits of the four channels of the data storage device 10.

In order to actuate each element as a function of the respective signal ltransmitted by the data storage device, Asuch signals may be in the form of A.C. voltages transmitte'dover 4the respective individual output circuits of each channel. Such voltages may cause the respective carrier elements to be correspondingly actuated by means of the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3. It will be lclear Vthat each carrier element is connected to a respective cam bar 0 which is adapted to control pairs of contacts or switches Cl-Ol, C2-O2, C3-O3, C4-O4, etc., there being two pairs of each position, and-since the data to be transmitted is weight in numbers l to 9 and 0, there will be twenty pairs of contacts cooperating with each carrier element. In Figs. VLA and 2A the coordinated pairs of contacts or switches C1 and Q1, etc., are arranged sideby-side for operation by two offset cam surfaces 55 (see Figs. .2A and 5), whereas in the diagram of Fig. 3 all pairs of contacts are for 'thesake of simplicity shown in one plane for operation by a common cam surface 55 through pairs of Contact arms '4l- 42, 43-44, etc. The arms are urged by spring Vpressure into their upper positions so that arms 41, 43, 45 l47 tend to close contacts C1, C2, C3, C4, and arms 42, 44, 46, 48 ytend to `keep contacts O1, O2, O3, O4 open, the latter arms engaging stops (not shown) in their upper positions. Thus, pairs: of contacts C1, C2, C3, C4, etc., are of the normally closed type, while pairs of contacts Ol, O2, O3, O4, etc., are of the normally open type. One contact of each pairof normally closed contacts is .permanently Ajoined to one contact of each pair of normally open contacts, and the common leads L1, L2, L3, L4, etc., are connected to respective inputs -1 to 9 and 0 (only four being shown -in Fig. v3. These inputs are connected to ten separate output circuits of one channel of the data storage device vlll which will energize that input corresponding tothe value 3 of the digit in that column. Contacts C1-O1, lead L1, and circuit 1 determine the position for stencilling number l. Similarly, contacts C2-O2, lead 2, and circuit 2 determine the position for stencilling number 2, etc.

Assume that number 2 has just been steneilled on an object and the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, and that now input circuit 4 is energized. The circuit lies through closed contacts C4 to the lower winding portion 60 of a reversible servo-motor S1 to cause thc mo'tor to run in a direction to move the cam bar 4G to the left in Fig. 3 through pinion 51 and rack 52 attached to the cam bar. In Fig. 3, the rack is shown above the cam bar, instead of at the side thereof as in other figures, to simplify the diagram. When contact arms 45, 46 of contacts C3-O3 are engaged by the end 55 of the cam, this will have no effect since circuit 3 has not been energized by device 10. However, when the end 55 of the cam causes contact arm 47 -to move downward against spring pressure, the arm will open contacts C4, and since the coordinated pair of normally open contacts O4 has been open, the motor S1 stops. This is the position corresponding to' the transmitted signal from this channel of the data device 10. Similarly, for each input 1 to 9 and t) cam bar operates until both pairs of contacts corresponding to a digital position are broken, thus deenergizing the circuit through the servo-motor. This Occurs 4when one contact arm of one pair of arms is on the cam and the other contact arm is off, as shown at 43, 44 in Fig. 3. Thus, if input circuit l is now energized, the circuit lies through closed contacts O1 to the upper winding portion 61 of the servo-motor S1. The cam bar 4t) is driven to the right in Fig. 3 until the end 55 of the cam permits contact arm 42 to move upwards under spring pressure so' as to open normally open contacts O1, and since the other contacts C1 have been open, the motor stops. In other words, the stop position of the cam bar always occurs when one contact arm of a pair in the energized circuit is on the cam, and the other contact arm of the corresponding pair in the energized circuit is ol the cam. It will be clear that the direction of movement of the cam bar and carrier element is determined by the position of the cam relative to the pair of contacts energized, at the time a signal is received.

It should he noted that contact C1 which is positioned at the right end of the row of contacts in Fig. 3 serves to prevent overrunning only. During normal operation its Contact arm 41 will never leave the surface 58 of cam bar 40. Similarly, the contact at the extreme left will serve to prevent overrunning only. These outermost contacts may be omitted if suitable stops are provided for the cam bars and carrier elements.

The above description relates to the output from one channel of the data device operating one carrier element. In the example illustrated here wherein a four-place weight figure is transmitted, there are four channels from the data device, whose outputs operate the four carrier elements 30, 31, 32, 33 through four servo-motors S1, S2, S3, S4 and four cam bars similar to bar 40. All four carrier elements are operated simultaneously to' bring the requisite four data stencils in position underneath the stencil Windows 29-23. The carrier elements are provided with eut-out portions or windows 34 overlying each data stencil so that windows 34 will register' with windows 24 when the data stencils are in stencilling position.

The frame F and its properly positioned carrier elements are now ready for the stencilling operation. With the tube in the stencilling position T (see Fig. 4), the frame F is moved from the dotted line position to its full line position by energizing an actuating device such as piston P operating out of a pivoted cylinder' 70, the pisto'n being hinged to the frame so that the frame is operated through an angular distance around a pin 71. When the frame is in position with the selected data stencils 35 adjacent or in contact with the tube T', the spray gun 75 is operated to discharge paint or the like and mark the data of the perforated data stencils on the tube underneath the windows. When the spraying is completed, the frame F is returned to the dotted line position to permit removal of the stencilled tube and movement of the next tube from data generating position to stencilling position. It will be clear that tubes or pipes of various sizes may be accommodated between the mo'vable frame F and the support 14.

Each cam bar 40 is connected to the respective carrier element 36-33 by means of a wing nut 77 (see Fig. 5) threaded on a stud 72 fixed to the cam bar. A slot 81 (see Fig. 7) in each carrier element accommodates the respective stud 72 so as to facilitate assembly and disassembly and has a round portion 83 cooperating with a washer 76. The elements 30-33 comprise flat sheets or strips 30 slidable in lo'ngitudinal slots 78 formed in guide members 79 xed to the underside of the frame F. After loosening a wing nut so that its washer 76 will drop out of slot portion 83, a carrier element may be slid out of the guide members 79 to permit its replacement by another element.

Each element 30-33 is provided with spaced guide blocks 82 depending therefrom, said blocks having cooperating transverse slots 85 in which the individual perforated data stencils 35 may be slid into position. Each data stencil is held firmly in position on the carrier element by means of laterally movable snap springs 34 which may be swung outwardly to permit replacement of a data stencil, and snap inwardly when released to lock the data stencil in place. The perforated data stencils may be preformed and permanently shaped to conform to the eo'ntour of the article to be stencilled. In the case shown, the data stencils are arcuate to conform to the surface of the tube T.

The stencilling machine may be operated independentlyl of the data interpretation and storage device 10. For example, the input circuits 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., may be connected to individual push buttons. Further, it is apparent that the servo-motors S1, S2, etc., and their controls may be omitted, in which case the carrier elements and their stencils would be hand-operated.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A stencilling device including a frame having a stencilling station, a plurality of carrier elements slidably mounted in the frame for rectilinear movement, each of said elements comprising a plurality of individual data stencils, signal responsive means actuated as a function o'f the data to be stencilled, the signals being in the form of voltages, said signal responsive means comprising servo-motors mounted on the frame and operated as a function of said voltages, a gear connection between each motor and one of said respective carrier elements, a plurality of input circuits fo'r each motor corresponding to a plurality of data, means for selectively rendering one of said circuits effective by said data to energize the respective motor, a cam releasably connected to each of said carrier elements, and a plurality of pairs of con-- tacts controlled by each of said cams, said plurality o.' pairs of contacts including two pairs for each stencil position, one of said pairs being normally open and thc other pair normally closed, said selected circuit being rendered ineffective and its motor being deenergized when the respective cam causes both pairs of contacts of any stencilling position to be open.

2. A stencilling device as specified in claim l, in which each motor has a forward winding and a reverse winding, one of said windings being connected to the respective normally closed pairs of contacts, and the other of said windings being connected to the respective normally open pairs of contacts.

3. A stencilling device as specified in claim 2, in which each pair of normally closed contacts and the corresponding pair of normally open contacts have a common lead,

said plurality of input circuits being connected to the respective leads.

4. A stencilling device including a frame having a stencilling station, a plurality of carrier elements slidably mounted in the frame for rectilinear movement, each of said elements comprising a plurality of individual data stencils, signal responsive means actuated as a function of the data to be stencilled, the signals being in the form of voltages, said signal responsive means comprising servomotors mounted on the frame and operated as a function of said voltages, a gear connection between each motor and one of said respective carrier elements, a plurality of input circuits for each motor corresponding to a plurality of data, means for selectively rendering one of said circuits effective by said data to shift the respective carrier element, la cam releasably connected to each of said carrier elements, and a plurality of pairs of contacts cooperating with and controlled by each of said cams for rendering the selected effective circuit inelective when the respective carrier element arrives at a predetermined position.

5. Apparatus for marking data on a pipe, comprising a rst support for holding the pipe while generating data representing pipe characteristics, a device for storing the data generated and for subsequently transmitting signals based on said data, a second support connected to the rst support to receive the pipe from said first support, a frame movable relative to said second support and normally positioned remote therefrom, whereby pipes of varying size may be inserted between said movable frame and second support, said frame having a stencilling station, a plurality of stencil devices each carrying a plurality of individual symbols, mounting means for guiding said stencil devices on said frame along a rectilinear path so that their symbols may be brought selectively into registry with the stencilling station, means responsive to signals received from said storing and transmitting device, actuators mounted on said frame and controlled by said signal responsive means for operating said stencil devices to adjust the position of their symbols in accordance with said signals while said frame is remote from said second support, said stencil devices being mounted adjacent to each other with the registering symbols at the stencilling station conjointly forming the data to be stencilled, power means for moving said frame toward the pipe While the latter is positioned on the second support, and spraying means cooperating with all of the adjacent symbols registering with the stencil station to mark the pipe on said second support.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 56,674 Merritt July 24, 1866 949,558 Wright Feb. l5, 1910 1,188,648 Hastings June 27, 1916 1,640,003 Leysieffer Aug. 23, 1927 1,788,662 Creed Ian. 13, 1931 1,812,838 Bryce June 30, 1931 2,014,372 Brickell Sept. 17, 1935 2,371,930 Sonnino Mar. 20, 1945 2,515,412 Lee July 18, 1950 2,540,326 Farwell Feb. 6, 1951 2,641,997 Buttereld et al. June 16, 1953 2,678,206 Muldoon et al. May 11, 1954 2,725,27-5 Kennedy Nov. 29, 1955 

